Jaipur, Dec 17 (UNI) Indian National Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot were on Monday sworn-in as Chief Minister and Deputy CM of Rajasthan at a glittering public ceremony, marked by a convergence of top leaders of many non-Bharatiya Janata Party opposition grandees.
Governor Kalyan Singh administered oath of office and secrecy to Mr Gehlot and Mr Pilot at the mega public function held at the historic Albert Memorial Museum Hall here in the presence of a galaxy of politicians, party workers and enthusiastic multitudes.
Both the leaders took the oath in Hindi in the name of the God.
Mr Gehlot assumed the reins of the state for a third term.
Former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh, HD Deve Gowda, INC president Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were among the dignitaries present at the swearing-in.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Puducherry CM V Narainsamy, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leaders MK Stalin and Kanimozhi, breakaway Janata Dal- United's Sharad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Jatin Ram Manjhi, ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and National Conference stalwart and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Dr Farooq Abdullah also attended the ceremony.
Outgoing Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal, Mr Gehlot's wife Ms Sunita, Mr Pilot's spouse Sarah and their other family members also graced the ceremony.
However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh former Chief Ministers Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav were notable absentees.
Ms Banerjee had conveyed that she was unable to make it for the function because her mother was unwell.
The Congress has staged a comeback in power in the state after five years by winning 99 of the 199 Assembly seats for which elections were held ten days ago. The party also enjoys support of lone ally Rashtriya Lok Dal member and some Independents.
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